Domestic and short-haul tourism are important markets for South Africa, and should be nurtured, says Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk, reports Travelwires.
The credit crunch has demonstrated the vulnerablity of the international tourism market, Van Schalkwyk said, and therefore the new domestic ‘Sho’t Left’ campaign is vital, he said, which he unveiled in the form of a mural.
The Minister said that the local tourism industry had “managed to keep its head above the water and has in fact performed well amidst difficult circumstances”. While domestic trips declined by 8 % in 2007, the total spend on domestic tourism increased by 17 % to R 26 billion, he added.
“We understand ….many South Africans and visitors from short haul markets are again discovering their own backyards, so to speak. Visitors are again realising the exceptional value for money South Africa offers as a destination, and we must step up our efforts to boost domestic tourism” said Van Schalkwyk.
The Sho’t Left campaign encourages locals to travel locally, by offering them value for money packages.
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